In the news...
for NOVEMBER 2025
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from the Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham
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As a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre, we were delighted to receive correspondence from both Sir Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer, and Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, acknowledging the important work of the UK’s WHO Collaborating Centres:
“These centres play a crucial role in maintaining the technical excellence of WHO…their ongoing contributions are vital to WHO’s work.” Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.
If you’d like to hear more about mental health and the WHO, they’re hosting a free webinar on 25 November 2025 launching new guidance on mental health across government sectors.
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Professor Martin Orrell
Director, Institute of Mental Health
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Peer Research Academy launches to support mental health researchers with lived experience
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A pioneering new initiative, the Institute of Mental Health Peer Research Academy, has been commissioned by the Wellcome Trust to support the development of mental health peer research as an inclusive, influential and health-affirming identity/role.
The Academy opened on 1st September 2025 and will operate initially until the end of 2027. From March 2026, it will offer support for mental health researchers with lived or living experience, including grants, training, and networking community-building opportunities. It will also investigate how to create healthy, sustainable environments for peer researchers and offer support for people who employ, or plan to employ, researchers with lived experience.
The Academy website will launch in February 2026. In the meantime, you can find more information via the news article on the Institute website
You can also email the Academy
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PhD 2026 studentship available in the Collaboratory Research Hub programme at University of Nottingham.
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Personalised digital avatars for inclusive carer training in Nottingham care homes
This research project aims to improve the experience of both carers and residents in Nottinghamshire care homes by developing personalised digital avatars. The project will work closely with carers, care home staff, residents’ families, and community organisations to co-design these avatars and training experiences. The goal is to create digital tools that help new or incoming carers feel better prepared for the specific behaviours, communication styles, and emotional needs they may encounter before they begin working in a particular care home.
The lead academic supervisor for the project is MindTech's Dr Michael Craven. Applicants must be permanent UK residents. Please read the eligibility criteria carefully before applying
Deadline to apply: 30 November 2025
Start date: 1 April 2026
Find out more, including how to apply
Explore the Collaboratory Research Hub
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McPin Foundation blog about the NEON study
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Mental health research charity, the McPin Foundation, have published a series of blogs showcasing the NEON (Narrative Experiences Online) Programme.
Programme Co-ordinator Stefan Rennick-Egglestone (pictured) shared how the research team approached the study, and how it was shaped by lived experience. NEON was conducted between 2017 to 2023. It was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to examine whether online access to real life stories of recovery from mental health problems can be helpful for people affected by mental health issues.
Read 'The role of storytelling in mental health recovery'
Read 'How lived experience shaped this 6-year mental health study'
The McPin Foundation is a mental health research charity.
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Professor Mike Slade given lifetime achievement award
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Congratulations to Professor Mike Slade (pictured) who has been recognised for his contribution to clinical psychology. Mike has been awarded the 2024 Monte Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award by the British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Clinical Psychology (DCP).
The award is for clinical psychologists who have achieved eminence in the profession, have had a significant impact on and innovation within the knowledge, policy and/or practice of clinical psychology, and have demonstrated outstanding leadership and influence in the development of clinical psychology.
“Many previous recipients of the Monte Shapiro Award have been influential in shaping my understanding of the psychological world. I feel truly honoured to join their ranks and receive this award.” Professor Mike Slade.
Read more about the BPS Division of Clinical Psychology
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Professor Maddie Groom and Dr Camilla Babbage attend film premiere
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The film, 'I Swear', dramatises the true story of Tourette syndrome campaigner, John Davidson, and his quest to live normally in a world that insisted on calling him different. It's an incredible achievement for Maddie and Camilla to be recognised for their contribution to Tourette's research and to be invited to the premiere of a film based around the lived experience of someone living with Tourette syndrome, putting it at the forefront of the cultural conversation. I Swear is in cinemas now
In addition, Professor Maddie Groom, director of our Centre for ADHD and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Across the Lifespan (CANDAL) was interviewed on BBC Radio Nottingham recently. She discussed the representation of tics and Tourette syndrome in the movie, including the importance of people like John, the film’s protagonist, having a support system around them, and the continuing need to raise awareness of Tourette syndrome. Listen back to the discussion from 46:25 on BBC Sounds
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Best presentation award for STADIA trial
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Dr Salah Basheer, Clinical Assistant Professor in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has been awarded the prestigious Margaret Davenport Prize for the best presentation at the Royal College of Psychiatry Faculty of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Annual Conference 2025.
He presented, 'Do digital diagnostic assignments predict CAMHS referral outcomes? A secondary analysis of a multicentre randomised controlled trial', based on the STADIA project. The analysis highlighted unmet clinical needs in referral pathways and revealed a ‘postcode lottery’ in CAMHS access.
Reflecting on the award, Dr Basheer said:
“I am honoured to receive this prize and hope the work will contribute to improving access to care for young people and their families.”
Find out more about the STADIA trial
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Mood monitoring in depression and bipolar disorder
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Colleagues from our Centre for Mood Disorders, including Dr Laurence Astill Wright, Professor Richard Morriss, and Dr Boliang Guo, along with the University of Bristol’s Dr Jonathan Monk-Cunliffe, have published a number of papers looking at mood monitoring in depression and bipolar disorder.
Their recent systematic review and meta-analysis examined 77 studies using mood monitoring or ambulatory assessment* in depression and bipolar disorder, to assess adverse events and side effects. The team found that a small number of ambulatory assessment users experienced negative psychological effects; however, they were unable to infer causality.
*Ambulatory assessment uses mobile technology to repeatedly measure mood in real time and in the moment.
Read the article in full in JMIR Mental Health
More papers from the team can be found online
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New papers from the Centre for Health and Justice
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Professor Eddie Kane (pictured), director of our Centre for Health and Justice has published several new articles.
In the quarterly online publication magazine ‘Fighting Knife Crime’, a new article titled, ‘Two years on’ discusses changes that have happened in the two years since Eddie wrote his last piece for the magazine, whether rates of knife crime have reduced in London and what changes and interventions have taken place during the past couple of years.
Read the article in issue 17 of Fighting Knife Crime London, p8
In an article for The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice, Professor Kane and Dr Isabel Gois set out the case for providing regular philosophy sessions in prisons. The authors draw attention to research on metacognition which is relevant to supporting prisoners in transitioning towards more prosocial lifestyles, as well as navigating the complexities of life both during and post-incarceration. The case is made for offering philosophy programmes in prisons in order to help nurture and develop metacognitive skills in this population.
Read the article in full online
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Towards a feminist psychiatry - new video
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Prof Linda Gask (pictured), Emerita Professor of primary care psychiatry, has recorded a new video for the Centre for Social Futures (SoFU) in which she discusses women and feminism in psychiatry.
Linda retired from clinical practice in psychiatry in 2013 after training in medicine in Edinburgh and working in the UK National Health Service and at the University of Manchester, where she is now Emerita Professor of Primary Care Psychiatry.
Watch 'Towards a Feminist Psychiatry' - Professor Linda Gask
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MindTech research informs government report
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Enhancing depression management in people with learning disabilities
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As we celebrate Learning Disability Nurses’ Day we’re delighted to share a recent paper by Holly Atkinson and Lisa Richmond, both trainee advanced clinical practitioners at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The paper, published in the RCNi journal, 'Enhancing depression management in people with learning disabilities', explores the complexity of supporting people with learning disabilities who experience depression.
Diagnosing depression in this group can be particularly challenging, as symptoms often present in atypical ways and may be harder to recognise. Research has also highlighted concerns about the overuse of antipsychotic and antidepressant medicines.
Holly and Lisa emphasise the vital role of learning disability nurses in:
➡️ Supporting accurate diagnosis through their specialist skill set
➡️ Tailoring treatment to each individual’s needs
➡️ Providing clear communication about the benefits and risks of medicines
➡️ Involving families and carers in decisions
➡️ Working closely as part of a multidisciplinary team
➡️ Their work underlines that effective management goes beyond medication, with psychological therapies and emotional support playing a key part in improving quality of life.
Well done to Holly and Lisa for contributing to the evidence base and showcasing the impact of learning disability nursing.
You can read the abstract online in the RCNi journal
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Shaping future research in secure or forensic mental health settings
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A survey has been launched to identify the top 10 research priorities for adult secure and community forensic mental health services in England, Scotland and Wales.
The project is being led by Dr Daniel Whiting (pictured), Clinical Associate Professor in Forensic Psychiatry at the University of Nottingham / Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust jointly with Dr Howard Ryland, University of Oxford, and in partnership with the James Lind Alliance.
The survey is looking for questions that research could answer to improve these services. Any health or social care professional working in or with secure/forensic mental health services, any person with lived experience of such services, or any carer/family member to someone who uses these services, is invited to take part in the survey.
It takes about 10 minutes to complete. Read more about the survey and take part
Circulating the survey to colleagues, people who use, or have used, secure/forensic mental health services, and their carers/family members, is also encouraged.
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OPTIMISE - optimising pathways of psychological care after transient ischaemic attack and minor stroke
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Are you a clinician or professional working with people who have experienced a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor sttroke in the past year?
Could you take part in a short online survey to help researchers understand the support available for changes in mood and cognition after a TIA or minor stroke?
Participants must be over 18 and working in the UK. To find out more and complete the survey, view the online information sheet
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BRIDGE – Building research capability to improve digital mental health for young people
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Institute colleagues are conducting a research project to explore the challenges and enablers of designing, delivering and evaluating digital mental health interventions (DMHI) for children and young people. By gathering the perspectives of those involved in these trials, such as researchers, clinicians, and trial teams, we aim to identify practical solutions to improve future studies and ensure that DMHIs can be implemented effectively in clinical settings.
We are seeking professional experts for the following activities:
Survey: (10-15 minutes) to gather detailed insights into your research experiences and perspectives on conducting trials.
Focus Group: (90 minutes) to identify facilitators, barriers, and solutions for conducting high-quality digital mental health trials.
Participation in either or both activities is welcomed.
Activities will be conducted online at times convenient for you. Participation is voluntary, and you can withdraw. You will be compensated for your time.
View the BRIDGE survey and take part
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📅 12 November 2025, 11.30am to 12.30pm
📍 Online via MS Teams🎟️ Free
📥 More information on the IMH website
Isaac Duncan-Cross will present the mixed-method findings of his PhD research, looking at the relationship between coping and formal service use in dementia.
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📅 21 November 2025, 9am to 5pm
📍 Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham NG7 2TU🎟️ Full price £130, limited free places for Notts Healthcare colleagues
📥 More information on the IMH website
This year's Trent Study Day offers a platform to explore the challenges and opportunities of trauma-informed practice in secure settings, share innovative approaches, and build stronger networks of support across disciplines. Presentation topics include: trauma-informed forensic practice, staff trauma, veterans and trauma, trauma informed physical healthcare, homelessness, the role of art psychotherapy and developing best practice guidelines.
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📅 3 December 2025, 1pm to 5pm
📍 Online via MS Teams🎟️ Free
📥 More information on the IMH website
Join us for the 5th annual symposium on state of the art understanding of the neurobiology of psychosis and schizophrenia with world leading experts in the field.
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📅 9 December 2025, 12.30pm to 1.30pm
📍 Online via MS Teams🎟️ Free
📥 More information on the IMH website
Join the University of Nottingham EXPAND team for a dynamic one-hour webinar exploring how we can better support ethnic minority young people to access healthcare support for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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We would love to hear from you.
Please visit our website or follow us on our social media pages to
keep up to date with our news and updates. |
The Institute of Mental Health brings together healthcare staff and academics to lead mental health research designed to improve diagnosis, treatment, and care. We are a partnership between two highly respected organisations, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Nottingham. |
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@institutemh institutemh.org.uk
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